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Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

automatic.com

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Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#31

Post by acgourley »

isalmon wrote: post #19

Very good concept overall, I like the idea A LOT. One thing that surprised me: >> Speeding doesn't save as much time as you might think, but driving 10 MPH over the speed limit reduces fuel efficiency by 12-15%. How's my fuel efficiency related to the speed limit set by local authorities?

They mean common US freeway speeds of course, shortened for copy punch/length.

Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#32

Post by stevenkovar »

contango wrote: post #21

Prediction: No one will buy this. It does not solve an actual problem. It's a toy for data geeks. How the hell much did that domain cost?

I can see several good pairings:

  * Car rental companies
  * Insurance companies (rebates if you use it)
  * Business vehicle fleets
  * Parents

Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#33

Post by smileysteve »

isalmon wrote: post #19

Very good concept overall, I like the idea A LOT. One thing that surprised me: >> Speeding doesn't save as much time as you might think, but driving 10 MPH over the speed limit reduces fuel efficiency by 12-15%. How's my fuel efficiency related to the speed limit set by local authorities?

The highest gear's most efficient peak of most "consumer" cars maximizes efficiency around 65mph. The NHTSA considered efficiency along with safety when making their recommendation so many years ago.

Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#34

Post by thejo »

isalmon wrote: post #19

Very good concept overall, I like the idea A LOT. One thing that surprised me: >> Speeding doesn't save as much time as you might think, but driving 10 MPH over the speed limit reduces fuel efficiency by 12-15%. How's my fuel efficiency related to the speed limit set by local authorities?

Hey isalmon, fuel efficiency is not related to the speed limit. We just use that as a frame of reference. The actual numbers are that fuel efficiency drops by 12-15% for every 10 mph above 50 mph. Here's an article which talks about that - http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/01/thomas-20130117.html

Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#35

Post by UnoriginalGuy »

I've seen these before. There are several companies working on similar products (and things like HUDs you can get off of eBay which show you OBD-II information).

The main problem with these (all of them!) is that the OBD II was never designed to be used like this. It will run the device 24/7 even when the car is turned off. So it will run down your battery in a similar way to leaving the cabin light on would do...

Nothing dramatic but if you're a "city driver" (i.e. no high-speed driving to recharge your battery) then you could get yourself into a situation where you need to be jump-started.

So as I said, great concept, however until the OBD-II port is "fixed" so it can be switched on and off I wouldn't get one for my car. Too high a chance that I wouldn't use my car for a weekend and then find it wouldn't start on Monday.

Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#36

Post by acgourley »

vineet wrote: post #29

Seems very similar to these guys as well: http://moj.io I am looking forward to the competition (and innovation) in this space.

It's shocking to me how much better the automatic web design is. They tell a similar story but I leave automatic's site with a much clearer understanding of the features, price and value proposition.

Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#37

Post by paul_f »

It is my understanding that engine codes are not public and car manufacturers consider them copyrighted information, requiring a license. I wonder if Automatic reverse engineered the codes or licensed them from the manufacturers.

The check engine light is only used to indicate problems with the car's emission system. It is unlikely to provide anything actionable unless you're planning to get your car smogged soon.

Re: Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant

#38

Post by mcescalante »

hadem wrote: post #3
parad0x1 wrote: post #2

This is really intuitive! I never even knew my car had this port. If only they could support Android sooner, I'd preorder right now.

Do most cars have an Onboard Diagnostics Port or is this more so in newer cars only? I wish there was some information about what cars this is expected to work with.

Any car with a OBD II port should work with the device... just Google your car. As noted, it's basically anything after 96 save for Hondas and a few other models.
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